Latest Website Updates:
Holiday Stories and Movies - December 21st
'Teens to Tots' noon-4pm (approx.): Teenagers will read holiday stories to younger kids. Bring your favorite storybook, if you'd like...Followed by family holiday movies: Officially starting at 5:30pm, but we may start immediately following the stories, and then re-run the films at 5:30pm.
PLEASE GIVE US YOUR SUGGESTIONS - TELL US WHAT FAMILY HOLIDAY MOVIE(S) YOU AND YOUR KIDS WOULD LIKE TO WATCH. Email: donna@cafelibertalia.com. We'll post the selections mid-week.
We hope you'll join us for some holiday cheer - try an eggnog latte or macchiato while you're here.
"Libertalia-Pizza Fusion"
Food items from Pizza Fusion (across the street) are now available at Cafe Libertalia! We'll soon be posting specifics on our menu page.Computer Classes at Cafe Libertalia with Patricia McMillan: Pre-registration is strongly recommended - class sizes will be limited. $20 per class; $5 deposit to register.
Thursday, December 4th, 6-8pm: Beginning Graphic & Web Design
Saturday, December 6th, 1-3pm: Basic Computer Skills
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Comedy -- Tonight!!!
Celebrate or Commiserate! Join us for "Comedy on the Crest" with Comedy Under Construction's Post-Election Show. Also, special musical guest, singer-songwriter Bill Hartwell.
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Halloween/Autumn Art Show and Reception
Cafe Libertalia is hosting an exhibit of artwork by various local artists all centering loosely on the theme of "Halloween" or "Autumn". Stop in any time during the next few weeks to check it out. We'll also be having a reception for all of the artists involved on Friday, October 24th. Come and meet the artists!
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Paul Newman Tribute
We'll be screening Cool Hand Luke on Sunday, October 5th at 6:30pm in honor of one of American's great actors. A brief retrospective and informal discussion of Paul Newman's work will also be part of the evening.
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Comedy!
On Wednesday, October 1st, 8pm, Cafe Libertalia will present the first of many evenings of comedy. "Comedy on the Crest", will feature improv sketches by Comedy Under Construction and The Ugly Truth. Come out to help initiate this new activity at Libertalia!
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Cafe Libertalia kicks off Secular Sobriety meetings:
We are also proud to announce the launch of new meetings for people addicted to drugs & alcohol. We host what are called "S.O.S." meetings - otherwise known as "SAVE OURSELVES". Brought to you by the Secular Organization for Sobriety. The Secular Organization for Sobriety is headquarterd in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.
An Overview Of SOS: A self-empowerment approach to recovery
What is SOS?SOS takes a self-empowerment approach to recovery and maintains that sobriety is a separate issue from all else. SOS addresses sobriety (abstinence) as “Priority One, no matter what!”
SOS credits the individual for achieving and maintaining his or her own sobriety.
SOS respects recovery in any form, regardless of the path by which it is achieved. It is not opposed to or in competition with any other recovery programs.
SOS supports healthy skepticism and encourages the use of the scientific method to understand alcoholism.
SOS Groups:SOS is a nonprofit network of autonomous, nonprofessional local groups in the USA and many European countries dedicated solely to helping individuals achieve and maintain sobriety. There are groups meeting in many cities throughout the US and other countries. For information about a group in your area, or if you would like to start a group, contact:
SOS Clearinghouse
(Save Our Selves)
4773 Hollywood Blvd,
Hollywood, CA 90027 USA
Tel : (323) 666-4295
SOS@CFIWest.org
All those who sincerely seek sobriety are welcome as members in any SOS Group.
SOS is not a spin-off of any religious or secular group. There is no hidden agenda, as SOS is concerned with achieving and maintaining sobriety (abstinence).
SOS seeks only to promote sobriety amongst those who suffer from addictions. As a group, SOS has no opinion on outside matters and does not wish to become entangled in outside controversy.
Although sobriety is an individual responsibility, life does not have to be faced alone. The support of other alcoholics and addicts is a vital adjunct to recovery. In SOS, members share experiences, insights, information, strength, and encouragement in friendly, honest, anonymous, and supportive group meetings.
To avoid unnecessary entanglements, each SOS group is self-supporting through contributions from its members and refuses outside support.
Sobriety is the number one priority in a recovering person’s life. As such, he or she must abstain from all drugs or alcohol.
Honest, clear, and direct communication of feelings, thoughts, and knowledge aids in recovery and in choosing nondestructive, non-delusional, and rational approaches to living sober and rewarding lives.
As knowledge of addiction might cause a person harm or embarrassment in the outside world, SOS guards the anonymity of its membership and the contents of its discussions from those not within the group.
SOS encourages the scientific study of addiction in all its aspects. SOS does not limit its outlook to one area of knowledge or theory of addiction.
Suggested Guidelines for Sobriety:(These guidelines appear in How To Stay Sober)
To break the cycle of denial and achieve sobriety, we first acknowledge that we are alcoholics or addicts.
We reaffirm this truth daily and accept without reservation the fact that, as clean and sober individuals, we can not and do not drink or use, no matter what.
Since drinking or using is not an option for us, we take whatever steps are necessary to continue our Sobriety Priority lifelong.
A quality of life—“the good life”—can be achieved. However, life is also filled with uncertainties. Therefore, we do not drink or use regardless of feelings, circumstances, or conflicts.
We share in confidence with each other our thoughts and feelings as sober, clean individuals.
Sobriety is our Priority, and we are each responsible for our lives and our sobriety.
The Network:The autonomous SOS groups are linked through the Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse is a center for the dissemination of information for individuals who may be looking for a secular program of recovery. SOS lends assistance in the formulation of new groups. The operational costs for the Clearinghouse are covered partially by subscriptions to the SOS International Newsletter, but mostly by the groups themselves donating a portion of the contributions they receive by “passing the hat” at local meetings, and by individual contributions to the Clearinghouse.
The History of SOS:The SOS movement began with an article in the Summer 1985 issue of Free Inquiry magazine, the leading humanist journal in the country.
James Christopher, the son of an alcoholic and a sober alcoholic himself, wrote “Sobriety without Superstition,” an account of the path he took to sobriety.
Christopher felt that there must be others who wanted to achieve and maintain sobriety through personal responsibility and self-reliance.
As a result of the tremendous response to the article from addicted individuals who wanted to maintain sobriety as a separate issue from all else, Jim Christopher founded the Secular Organizations for Sobriety Save Our Selves.
Today there are SOS groups meeting nationally, as well as in other countries. SOS has gained recognition from rehabilitation professionals and the nation’s court systems. In November of 1987, the California courts recognized SOS as an alternative to AA in sentencing offenders to mandatory participation in a rehabilitation program. Also, the Veterans Administration has adopted a policy which prohibits mandatory participation in programs of a religious nature.
SOS International Newsletter:The SOS National Clearinghouse publishes a quarterly newsletter that is filled with items of interest to all recovering persons, to professionals, and to the families and friends of addicted persons.
The SOS International Newsletter serves as an information source for group conveners and as a forum for SOS members. Subscriptions: $18 per year.
Additional Reading:Special International Conference Edition is Free